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Magnetic Elegance – Puredistance I Perfume Review

Magnetic Elegance

Puredistance is an ultra-luxe and ultra-exclusive niche brand based in Vienna. The brainchild of Jan Ewoud Vos, Puredistance is a brand that offers exclusivity without snobbery or pretence, their perfumes are designed to be “elegant, sophisticated, timeless” [1]. The line currently consists of three perfumes; Puredistance I, Antonia and M. Puredistance I was their first perfume release and was created by Annie Buzantian (originally for herself) in New York, it is described as “understated elegance in its purest form” [2].

I’ve had my sample of Puredistance I (generously given to me by Vanessa of Bonkers About Perfume, thank you Vanessa!) for quite a while now, having tried it many times but I have put off writing a review, simply because I struggled to wrap my head around such an interesting perfume.

I’m sure you’d agree with me when I say that possibly the best part of being a ‘Hardcore Fumehead’ is sampling and trying new fragrances. When I sample new stuff I find that my thoughts tend to fall into one of four categories; it’ll either be love at first sniff, or hate at first sniff, it may even be general apathy at first sniff but sometimes I come across a fragrance that provokes a response of ‘hmm, what is this?’, Puredistance I was one of these fragrances.

Puredistance I is a difficult fragrance to classify, it is a floral yes, but it’s not quite like any other floral I have ever tried, and if I were to try and classify it with one word I would choose ‘atmospheric’. It has a wonderful, magnetic elegance that keeps luring me in and bringing me back to it.

This ‘atmospheric’ perfume opens bright, sparkling and fizzy with sweet fruit and luminous florals. At first the florals (jasmine, magnolia, rose and mimosa) are sharp and green with an unusual vegetal aspect, but they soften and warm with time. The real beauty of Puredistance I lies within the harmony of the florals, no single flower stands out above the others, and each flower works together to create a new floral impression like no other.

The citrus and florals are draped with a blinding white musk. I think that the musk was the part that confused me with Puredistance I, I couldn’t get my head around just how bright and clean the musk is without feeling cheap or smelling soapy. The musk seems to elevate all of the other notes, it gives them an airy quality and allows Puredistance I to permeate every fibre of the soul, it wears like an attitude, a sense of glamour, style and beauty.

The base consists of warm amber, with sweet vanillic tones, pale florals and that gorgeous white musk. It lasts for an age and slowly becomes more transparent and closer to the skin with time.

My description of Puredistance I may make it sound like it is a very simple fragrance, and you may be thinking; ‘oh, florals and musk, that doesn’t sound very different from most of the dreck on the market’, but it really is very different. It strikes a chord with me because it manages to showcase a beautifully complex simplicity. Now I know that’s a complete oxymoron, but it’s true, Puredistance I is complex in its simplicity – a perfume as harmonious and as luxurious as this is no mean feat to create.

Puredistance I is incredibly tenacious, but I wouldn’t call it loud. It has extraordinary silage for a Parfum Extrait (with a whopping 32% concentration I have to add) but it’s not really intrusive. Being ‘atmospheric’ it casts a wonderful fragrant glow around the wearer that is evocative of high-class beauty.

My first experience with the Puredistance brand has been interesting and enjoyable to say the least. I have samples of the other two fragrances in the line (M and Antonia) and I don’t think I could be more excited! *

All Puredistance perfumes are available in 17.5ml and 100ml flacons. The 17.5ml flacon resembles (a rather posh) test tube.

I find it incredibly handy that each of these Parfum Extraits are presented in a spray bottle, I have to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of dabbing and I wish more brands would follow suit.

A series of accessories are available, including leather cases, a stand and a Swarovski crystal column (pictured and available in clear & silver, clear & gold and black & silver). The packaging is ultra-luxe but it feels, clean simple and pure.

Availability

Puredistance I is available in 17.5ml and 100ml Parfum Extrait. Prices range from €165 and €490.

31Comments

Ahh, one of my absolute favorites! Such a lovely review!
But what got to me the most is the incredible image you selected for it, I adore that McQueen picture! Thank you, this review brightened my morning considerably.

This is such a lovely perfume, it’s so smooth, no rough edges anywhere! It’s next on my list for a FB (well not the 100 ml one 🙂 ). Yesterday after reading a thread at NST I got a bit nervous though- what if the temperature drops to -32 C (it’s that time of year) and the perfume freezes in the mail, how horrible!
The Alexander McQueen picture is wonderful, which brought to mind, wouldn’t this be the perfect wedding scent?

“Atmospheric” is a great word for Puredistance1 – both in the sense of making a statement and radiating an aura, and also in having that paradoxical airy quality, despite all that juicy fruitiness and plush amber and musk going on!

Thanks for the link to my review on Bonkers. And it is so true that this brand is ultra-luxe yet down to earth and unstuffy. Not only did they not take exception to my likening the padded silk lined box the perfume comes in to a “top of the range coffin”, but when I popped into their offices in September, they gave me a piece of cake for the road, and – without batting an eyelid – wodged it into one of those same sumptuous boxes!

Thank you for the sample Vanessa! I have samples of M and Antonia on the way too, which I’m very excited to try.

I did enjoy reading your trip report from the Puredistance offices, they seem to be very down-to-earth, which is a massive breath of fresh air in an industry where ‘niche snobbery’ is very much alive and kicking.

I have wanted to sniff this perfume for the longest time after reading Brigit’s review on in and now your fantastic review, lucky for me that there is a sample on its way to me as I write so I can finally see what the fuss is about. 🙂

You must let me know what you think of these when you you get them. I will let you know what I think when I finally get my sample, if I am smitten there will be trouble (I may have to consider lap dancing or something to fund it, I would of course be paid not to lap dance, LOL)

If I love all three, and you love Puredistance I we may have to look at going in to stripping together. I’m pretty sure I could Go-Go Dance quite convincingly. Whether people would pay to watch is another matter 😛

Just thought I would put my two penneth in now I have finally tried this one, words fail me, it’s like nothing else I have tried before, the only word I can think of is otherworldly. I have had a couple of tries now and each time I fall a little bit more under its spell.
Looks like you and I are going into business together lap dancing and go go dancing. Oh Lordy.

Your review is absolutely spot-on and I also love those images which are just perfect. Puredistance 1 really does showcase “complex simplicity” and is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is luxury without the showiness. I was somewhat surprised by how good it is in cold weather. It’s very far from your typical light-weight, summery green floral. It’s depth and tenacity are quite something, but I guess that’s the.whopping 32% concentration at work. Classy stuff.

Sounds like one of those fragrances that is just impossible to describe and all you can say is “Try it and you’ll understand!”
What a corkin price though?! Gee whiz. Would still love a sniff of this, anything considered “atmospheric” no matter what the notes and I’m intrigued, I love fragrances that change your perception of the air around you and make you feel something rather than smell it.

[…] beautiful smoothness that makes for a wonderful velvety texture. I have learned to love white musk, Puredistance I taught me that a good quality musk can really add that extra something to a fragrance, and when […]